Jeongeup City Installs 'Insect Repellent Dispensers' on Hiking Trails

Insect Repellent Dispensers Installed at 12 Major Hiking Trails in Jeongeup
Effective in Preventing Diseases Such as Tsutsugamushi and SFTS
Public Health Center Urges Citizens to Follow Safety Guidelines During Outdoor Activities

Jeongeup City Public Health Center in North Jeolla Province has expanded the installation of insect repellent dispensers along major hiking trails to prevent tick-borne infectious diseases as outdoor activities increase in spring.

The city announced on the 14th that it has recently installed new dispensers at four locations: Jeongeupsa Dalbit Sarang Forest, Chilbosan hiking trail, Chosandong hiking trail, and Naejangsan Soraebong trail.

Jeongeup City Hall exterior view. Provided by Jeongeup City

Including eight existing dispensers on the Seonghwangsan hiking trail, a total of 12 locations are now equipped with insect repellent dispensers. A single spray from the dispenser can repel insects for about four hours. When applied to skin or outer clothing, except for the face and neck, it is effective in preventing diseases such as Tsutsugamushi disease and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) that can be contracted during outdoor activities.

Tick-borne infectious diseases mainly occur from this month until November, and special caution is required in spring as the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, which causes SFTS, is particularly active during this season. As there are currently no vaccines or treatments for these diseases, prevention is considered the most important response.

The public health center urges citizens to follow safety guidelines during outdoor activities, such as minimizing skin exposure by wearing long clothes, avoiding lying down or leaving clothes on grass, using insect repellent, and showering immediately after returning home.

Son Heekyung, head of the public health center, said, "The best way to prevent tick-borne infectious diseases is not to get bitten by ticks," and added, "If you experience symptoms such as high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or notice insect bite marks after outdoor activities, you should visit a hospital for medical attention without delay."